I saw an older post from 2019 on the same topic, but wanted to start a new conversation.
We are moving in a few months and as I strip out all my smart tech from the house, I've started to think about what I want to do in the new house. I would like to learn from everyone else's challenges or opinons on what you might have done different? Equipment, etc.
I was in that position 15 months ago. I've taken my time to start automating things again.
I kept most of my switches/dimmers. I did eliminate the few zwave 300-series and 100-series devices I had. I also replaced most ZHA 1.2 devices with zigbee 3.0 devices.
We've just moved and I'm now starting to set up our new home.
What I'm finding is that I really don't need to automate as much as I did before. Not because the home is different but "was it all really necessary" anyway.
Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen and Conservatory lights are a must for me as I can automate these to make the house looked 'lived in' when we are away.
I now have a big box full of motion and contact sensors, dimmers etc. etc. that I don't really need.
Will I end up using them, more than likely. It's an addiction!!!!!!!!
Seeing as how my home Tech is littered with relics from years gone by, were I to start again from scratch, I would be diligent in minimizing the Apps needed to manage the mess. WiFi devices all seem to need their own Apps to work at least for setup. Thinking of the ismartgate garage door and the WEMO switches and dimmers here. Then there is the Abode security and related sensors which require the "cloud" to integrate with Hubitat. Same for what is left of my "Nest" products. In short, I know what works for me so I would try to get as much on as few product lines as possible.
Take what works consistently from your existing setup and solidify its place in your home.
For me that was:
There's lots other stuff in my home, some of it specific to where I live, but the above is the base of my stable home automation. It doesn't throw off visitors, the look and basic function is consistent throughout. Motion sensors are very discrete and other than lights turning on by themselves, vistors don't really know this is a smart home. If they stay with me a few days, some start to ask questions. Some don't because it's just not of interest to them, or they know me and expect this sort of thing. First time visitors typically only really comment on the automated lights.
If you want to have advice about what you should use, you will for sure get a general consensus on certain devices like Lutron Picos, but you'll get many strong opinions about other devices. Most of them will be right for some, none of them will be right for everybody.
I think this is where I am at right now. "Was it really necessary". My current plan is to ditch any of the really older devices and really think through as I start to automate instead of just throwing switches bulbs and motion sensors everywhere. I know a couple of areas for me are no brainers; outside lights, our closet (wife is already missing that the light doesn't just turn on when she goes in there!), accent lighting around the house. Everything else will get a little more thought.
Also, currently trying to decide what route to go down for an alarm system. I know others might disagree but I don't think a home automation platform is the place for an alarm system, so that will be separate but would like to be able to leverage the sensors so trying to plan out what alarm hardware to purchase. I tried Konnected in the past and did not have good luck with it. Not a knock against them as it could have been the config of my existing alarm system that caused the issues so will be looking at alternatives.
It's rarely 'necessary' we all know that. It just becomes so addictive, looking for 'problems' to fix with automation; problems that don't exist for those who aren't interested in home automation or tech.
Not exactly an answer to what I would do different, but one thing I'm glad I did was go with Caseta for my switches when I did everything over a number of years back. I went back and forth at the time between Lutron and another vendor who I don't want to name, but these switches have been 100% reliable. I haven't had to replace a single one in years, and I can't point to a single instance where I noticed one fail to respond to a commend. I remember, at the time I was deciding, reading posts in here and I saw nothing but positive experiences with this line, and I'm glad I listened. So not a "what I would do different", but a "What I would do again".
Actually I think a lot of people here would agree with you on that one.
I have always been content to use a home automation system as a pseudo-security system (I used SmartThings before Hubitat). But I don't expect the reliability of a real security system.
I am the same. I have a security system but however I picked up some cheap Moe's Door/Window Sensors from AliExpress and put them on the windows and doors. Automated through a virtual switch and Alexa that HSM arms and disarms when the actual security system does. Just simply use it as a cheap method of redundancy. Also use it to turn the lights on all through the house if someone was to come in at night when we were asleep.
Not at all, that is a wise decision. Alarm systems are designed and tested to reliability standards no home automation system could reasonably be expected to achieve.
A number of us use Qolsys IQ2 or IQ4 alarm systems. I've been using them for many years now and they are very reliable. There's a driver for HE that brings in most sensor types to HE so you can leverage those in your automations, and you can optionally arm/disarm the system and act on alarm state changes.
So very true, and why I have automated so much stuff at home. Maybe equal parts real usefulness and fun project.
Starting over... Z-Wave LR instead of Z-Wave mesh, Zigbee 3.0, Ethernet in every room, (sometimes on two walls in a room), and in spots to get POE to outdoor cameras, consider Matter devices (but it still feels too new to jump on big time), consider outside power stations for mains powered repeaters if wanting to use mesh devices outside.
Oh, and live near @aaiyar so he can come over and help me set it all up. 
Professionally monitored or self monitored? Abode sensors integrate fairly well with hubitat with the help of a user driver available on GitHub.
You're going to the trouble of integrating an alarm system to save a few bucks on sensors?
Unnecessary integrations just add potential for problems. APIs, developers, etc, come and go.
I think alarm systems just give you a false sense of security anyway.
How long are you projecting to stay in the new house? That would be a factor.
I'd say go with all new Z-Wave LR, and only do Zigbee where you absolutely have to. It'll be the latest and greatest for several years, hopefully, and mesh sucks. Why go to the trouble of installing the old crap?
Call me anti-Zigbee, but here in the US, you, or your neighbor, do something with WiFi and next thing you know, your Zigbee network is screwing up? Who needs that?
+1 for Qolsys. Great for both wired and wireless sensors. The only potential downside is that you lock yourself into Alarm.com for monitoring. But ADC works fine. Totally DIY installable.
Here is a comparison of the Qolsys options. I have the IQ Pro.
I've found them to be very reliable though. Within minutes of me removing a smoke alarm to change the battery, I get a call from the monitoring people telling me there's a problem.
I agree, it's just a bit of monitoring platform lock in.
How so? I've had alarm systems in my homes and businesses for probably 40 years now. Fortunately, I've never had a break-in or a fire, but I've burnt lots of toast and I've always gotten a call within seconds when a smoke detector goes off. Had the fire dept show up once or twice too.
I have water sensors all over the place and a water shutoff valve, also controlled by the alarm system.
Nothing is 100% foolproof, but I don't think the sense of security this stuff gives me is false in any way, but I wouldn't rely on any home automation platform for things like this.
I guess it depends where you live.
Around here the fire department might arrive in time to save the barn. 
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